Travel all Ecuador in 23 Days

Travel all Ecuador in 23 Days

The 23 days Tour is covering all the best of Ecuadors natural and cultural highlights such as the Andean zone, the rain forst and the breathtaking Galápagos islands. In the first 11 days you get to know our wonderful mountains. The highlight will be the climb to the 5000m high Iliniza Norte. Not to forget the unique lagoons of Cuicocha and Quilotoa.

After some relax in Baños you head of to the northern rainforest in Cuyabeno where sweetwater dolphins and other rare animals can be observed.
The meeting with an original indigenous tribe is probably the culturally most interesting thing you can think of.
The last days you spend admiring the endless beaches of Galapagos, where you will get to see tourtles, seecows and an amazing underwater life while snorqueling.

Travel program

Itinerary:

Day 1: Flight to Quito (2800 m) – Transfer to the Hotel

Day 2: City Tour Quito – Hotel

Day 3: Quito – Cuicocha Lake – Otavalo

Day 4: Otavalo – Cayambe Shelter (4600m) – EL Chaupi (3300m)

Day 5: EL Chaupi – Cotopaxi National Park – El Chaupi

Day 6: El Chaupi (3300m) – Corazón Volcano (4788 m )

Day 7: EL Chaupi – Iliniza norte (5126m)

Day 8: Quilotoa Lagoo (3914m) – Chucchilan

Day 9: Chucchilan (3200 m) – Riobamba (2.750 m)

Day 10: Riobamba – Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve

Day 11: Riobamba – Train to the Devil’s nose Alausi

Day 12: Baños de Agua Santa

Day 13: Baños – Quito

Day 14: Quito Transfer to the Airport – Flight to Lago Agrio Airport – transfer to the lodge

Day 15: Lodge – observe the pink river dolphins or an anaconda sunbathing in a tree

Day 23: Quito –Transfer to the Airport – Flight to Europe or your country of origin.

Detailed Program

Day 1: Flight to Quito (2800 m) – Transfer to the Hotel
Arrived in Mariscal Sucre Airport, Pick up at the airport and transfer to the hotel in Quito.
Depending on the time of your flight. We can visit to the Historical Center of Quito

Day 2: City Tour Quito – Hotel
We start in the morning visiting the downtown of Quito, and in the afternoon, we will visit the Equator line and the Intiñan Museum, and we will be transferred to the hotel in Quito by later afternoon (B/L)

Day 3: Quito – Cuicocha Lake – Otavalo
The Otavalo cultural tour is a wonderful way to discover and combine the famous artesian indigenous market in Ecuador and some of the amazing views outside Otavalo.

After breakfast 8:00 am . We will drive north of Quito through the Sierra highlands, and our first stop will be at Quitsato Middle of the world, and then onto Cayambe, where we can taste and learn about the town´s famous biscochos (local biscuits). We then arrive at the famous Otavalo Market where you will have time to eat lunch and buy handicrafts. The main market day in Otavalo is Saturday; After exploring the market and having lunch we will depart Otavalo and make a stop at Laguna Cuicocha, which is located in a volcano crater, and contains two green islands. We´ll then visit Cotacachi. This town is famous for its leather goods – a great place to pick up a bargain! After that we will make our way back to Quito. (B/L/D)

Day 4: Otavalo – Cayambe Shelter (4600m) – EL Chaupi (3300m)
We will leave from Otavalo early in the morning and drive east for about 2,30 hours until to the Oleas Ruales Refuge (4600m.) where we will until to (5000 m ) we will head back to the refuge in 2 to 3 hours have something to eat, drink and go down to the car, from where we will drive to the Village of El Chaupi . Rest and overnight at Hostal Andes Alpes www.andesalpescafe.com (B/BL/D)

Day 5: EL Chaupi – Cotopaxi National Park – José Rivas Shelter (4800m)
We will start early in the morning, after breakfast 8:00 am and drive through the Avenue of the Volcanoes until getting to Cotopaxi Park, we have the chance to make a hike close to a lake called “Limpiopungo” and if the weather and our physical conditions allows, we will hike up to the refuge and further to the glacier and admire the magnificent Cotopaxi Volcano. We will come back to the car and drive back to El Chaupi (B/L/D)

Day 6: El Chaupi (3300m) – Corazón Volcano (4788 m )
We start early in the morning after breakfast 7:30 We will driving up to the trailhead (13,120ft/4.000m), where we start our hike. The first part of the hike takes us up through the small Andean grass. Then we will get on the sandy and scramble section, which leads to Corazon summit (15,702ft/4788m). We will have lunch during the hike that is about 8 hour long. Return to the hostal. Dinner and Lodging (B/BL/D)

Day 7: EL Chaupi – Iliniza norte (5126m)
We start early in the morning after breakfast 7:30 We will driving up to the “La Virgen parking lot” (12,795ft/3.900m). Once there, we will start a 3-hour hike up to the “Nuevos Horizontes Refuge” (15,580ft/4.750m). We will relax for couple of minutes And we took the opportunity to put our helmet and harness for continue hiking up towards the saddle formed between both peaks and then head up to Illiniza north summit; it will take us between 2 to 3 hours to get to the summit (5126m), the way back to the parking lot it will take us between 2 hours.. drive back to El Chaupi . Overnight at the Hostal Andes Alpes (B/BL/D)

Day 8: Quilotoa Lagoon (3914m) – Chucchilan
After an early breakfast 8:00. we will drive for a while to get to the rim of the Quilotoa lagoon. Where we will admire the beauty of the volcanic lake, whit its wonderful turquoise colours, we will hike until to the village Chucchilan 4 to 6 Hours aprox. from there we can get an insight of the everyday life of the Indigenous people. Night in Hostel. (D/B /BL)

Day 9: Chucchilan (3200 m) – Riobamba (2.750 m)
After the breakfast our transport will bring us to the Riobamba, on our trip to Riobamba, we can enjoy the colorful villages of the Andes. Night in Hostel. (D/B/D)

Day 10: Riobamba – Chimborazo Wildlife Reserve
From Riobamba, we’ll drive southwest to the Chimborazo’s Reserve entrance for about 1 hour, until getting to the Hermanos Carrel refuge (15,744 ft/4,800 m), from here we’ll still have to walk up for about an hour to the Whimper’s Hut (16,400 ft/5.000m) (B/BL/D)

Day 11: Riobamba – Train to the Devil’s nose Alausi
Early morning after breakfast we will drive for about 2 hours from Riobamba to Alausí, where you will join the famous train to the Devil’s Nose, one of the most famous railroads in the world. The train is named after a famous wall of rock with a decline of 45 degrees, the Devil’s Nose. On this part of the train ride a series of switchbacks are used to help the train make it up and down the steep slope. In the afternoon we will drive to Baños town. Overnight and rest at the Hotel (B)

Day 12: Baños de Agua Santa – Quito
Baños town and its surroundings offer many possibilities like: the route of the waterfalls, hikes inside the “cloud forest”, besides, depending on our interest, with an extra cost, we could try rafting, rock climbing, bungee jumping, mountain biking, horseback riding, etc. Night in hotel (B) This picturesque town offers you a lot of possibilities to spend an unforgettable day… You can relax in the famous hot springs . After we will drive to Quito 16:00 pm (B)

Day 13: Quito Transfer to the Airport – Flight to Lago Agrio Airport – transfer to the lodge
There are two direct ways of travelling from Quito to Lago Agrio: by plane or bus. If you travel by plane, you will arrive in Lago Agrio at 09:40 am. If you travel by bus, you must leave Quito a day in advance in order to reach Lago Agrio in time for the tour. Travelling by bus is 8 hours. Our adventure begins at 10:00 am. We travel by bus/truck to Tierras Orientales (2 hours), where we start our canoe journey down the Aguarico and continue along the Cuyabeno black water river, to our lodge (04:30 PM aprox.). At that time you will be shown to your rooms and can relax. After a siesta we will leave the camp for a swim in the lagoon and to watch a beautiful sunset. You will then return to the camp for dinner and can finish your first day in the jungle relaxing in a hammock or having a drink at the bar. (B/D)

Day 14: Lodge – observe the pink river dolphins or an anaconda sunbathing in a tree
After breakfast we will take a trek in the primary forest for 3 to 4 hours where your guide will explain how this complex tropical ecosystem works. You will learn about medicinal plants and might be able to see some exotic birds or monkeys. We will then return to the camp for lunch and a siesta. In the afternoon, we will have a swim in the lagoon and watch the sunset. With a little luck you can observe the pink river dolphins or an anaconda sunbathing in a tree. You will return to the camp for dinner, and then take a night canoe ride to look for caimans. (B/L/D)

Day 15: Lodge – Siona Community
After breakfast, we head to the Siona Community of Puerto Bolivar, the largest ethnic group in the Reserve. During this tour you will learn their customs, traditions and way of life. You will be part of the preparation of Casabe, a local dish made of yucca (carbohydrates are the principal food of the community). During the 2 hour canoe ride to the community, you can admire the existing fauna along the Rio Cuyabeno such as: birds, monkeys, snakes, pink dolphins and tortoises. A visit to the Shaman, the healer of the community, is also included. This is a full day excursion with lunch in the Community. After returning to the lodge, we will go for a short nocturnal hike through the primary forest in search of insects, spiders, geckos or scorpions, and listen to the night sounds of the jungle. Dinner. (B/L/D)

Day 16: Lodge – Transfer to the Lago Agrio Airport – Flight to Quito
After breakfast, we navigate along Cuyabeno rivers towards to the Kichwa Indian Community, where our naturalist guide explains the culture and traditions of the native people, from the past to the present, and then we travel by canoe down the Cuyabeno River and back along the Aguarico River to Pto. Gregorio, from where our bus/truck will take us to Lago Agrio (arrival at 16:00 aprox.). Departure flight/bus to Quito (B)

Day 17: Quito – Baltra Airport (Galápagos) – Grietas – Alemanes Beach
When you arrive at the Galapagos Island you will be greeted by a tourist guide who will to take you to Santa Cruz. In about 45 minutes you will be in Puerto Ayora – hotel. Check in the hotel. Lunch. Then we will go to GRIETAS.

In this unique place we will have the chance to snorkel into a canyon formed by the sea water into the land, in this area we will also have the chance to see blue footed boobies, red crabs, frigate bird, and other bird species. Finally, enjoy the ALEMANES BEACH.

Day 18: Sta. Cruz -Tortuga Bay Beach – Charles Darwin Station (B / L / D / Lodgement)
In the morning, visit the TORUTGA BAY BEACH. This is one of the largest white sand beach of the archipelago, an excellent place for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, surfing or just walking. The marine iguanas, sharks and sea turtles can be seen along a small right path for visitors. Migratory birds can be seen walking along the coast and enjoy bird watching. In the afternoon, we visit CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION and its Interpretive Center, with help from the IUCN, UNESCO, and conservationists worldwide. Charles Darwin Foundation was founded under Belgian Law in 1959. Since then, CDF has been a key organism to stabilize the ecosystem and preserving the natural wonders thar the island has to offer. Here we will have the great opportunity to see and explore this famous place.

Day 19: Sta. Cruz – Isabela (B / L / D / Lodgement) Snorkeling
Pick up at from the hotel at 0700 Aprox. Speed boat to Isabela Island. We will sail to TINTORERAS ISLET. The name comes due to a large Crevice with very clear, calm water in which white‐tip sharks known as “Tintoreras” come daily to rest on the bottom. We can also observe penguins, sea lions, and marine iguanas and go snorkeling with sharks as well as other colorful tropical fish while enjoying the beaches of Isabela Island. Lunch at a local restaurant. Additionally, we will visit wetlands, and flamingos lagoon. Return to Puerto Ayora.

Day 20: Sta. Cruz -Floreana (B/ L/ D / Lodgement) Snorkeling
Pick up from the hotel at 0800 aprox. In the morning, Speed boat to the most haunted Island history in Puerto Velasco Ibarra boats. Visit the top of the island. Heaven of Peace & Cueva de Sucre: the first one was the cave of pirates and the second one is the freshwater side. These places have history, since it was the home of the first settlers of the island. Then we go to Playa Negra. Lunch at a local restaurant. Snorkelling in Lobería (the main attractions that the beach and the bay have are: sea lions, marine iguanas on the shores and reefs at the bay. Return to Puerto Ayora.

Day 21:Transfer from Hotel – to canal and Baltra Airport – Quito
Return to Baltra Island and back to Quito

Day 22: Quito –Transfer to the Airport
Flight to Europe or your country of origin.

Prices & Dates

In Ecuador you can Climb all year, but these are the seasons
High Season: June to August / December to January
Low season: February to May / September to November

In Ecuador you can Climb and travel all year, but these are the seasons

Difficulty: Easy

Dates & Prices:From / To
02.07. – 24.07.2017 On this trip, places are still available.
06.07. – 28.07.2017 On this trip, places are still available.
09.07. – 31.07.2017 On this trip, places are still available.
11.07. – 02.08.2017 On this trip, places are still available.

Prices: * Prices are different according to the number of people. Contact us! ✓ Deposit for reservations: * 1000 USD ( EUR) ✓ Full payment 40 days before. No refund if you cancel less than 30 days!Places:*Available
Trip-code: Nummer ►EC-1981Duration: 22 days
Participants: Minimal: 2 Maximal: 12
Members: We have some group open to join Contact us!Country / Location: Cotopaxi – Ecuador
Mountain Guide: Fernando Iza
Other dates / additional info:Contact us!Legend Booking-informationEZZ - Single room supplement On this trip, places are still available. On this trip, only a few places left. This trip is sold out / closed.